The JEA board approved construction of a $1.57 billion natural gas-fired power plant Aug. 26, opting for the utility to take on the project itself instead of an alternative plan to buy additional power from Florida Power & Light.

The city-owned utility’s seven-member board took the first step to build the plant on about 40 acres in the former St. Johns River Power Park in North Jacksonville. JEA shut down and demolished a more than 30-year-old power plant there in 2018. It was powered by coal.

JEA will next issue a request for proposals from contractors to build the facility and will work to obtain regulatory approvals for construction with a goal of bringing the plant online in late 2031 or early 2032. The vote was 6-0, with Kawanza Suarez not present because of a business commitment.

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